A.3.1 European Powers in the New World

The colonization of the New World took on a real impetus during the first quarter of the 17th century, when all the expansionist European powers set foot in North America. The Spanish, English, and French played a prominent role in exploring the land and drawing up the map of the new continent. Other nations, however, also hoped to secure their place in North America, if only for a short time. As a result, besides New Spain, New England and New France, the 17th century witnessed the short-lived New Netherland and New Sweden.